Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Catering Services. We are looking to appoint an individual who can demonstrate excellent day to day leadership and communications skills to manage Catering Services in the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. A previous track record of successfully delivering a high standard of service provision and budgetary control within a catering environment is essential.
This role reports to the Head of Facilities and contributes to the strategic planning of Catering Services for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. The successful candidate will plan, organise and develop patient services within our Hospital.
Candidates should possess strong leadership skills and work to the highest standards of food safety and health and safety. The post includes assisting in implementing organisational change and workforce re-design, project management and service planning.
Main duties of the job
As a catering manager, you'll:
1. recruit, train and manage staff
2. make sure all services meet health and safety and food hygiene standards
3. plan menus to take into account nutritional standards and medical requirements, such as low fat, gluten free, vegetarian, etc
4. arrange staff rotas
5. control budgetsorder and control stock
6. supervise catering staff to make sure that meals are prepared and served correctly and that supplies are available and carefully used.
7. liaising with dietitians and dietetic assistants to plan meals for patients on special diets.
8. work with chefs and cooks to plan menus.
About us
MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England.
We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex. We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre.
In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Standard Level.
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - (
Interview Date: TBC
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
9. Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management Association Professional Qualification or equivalent level of experience or General management qualifications and short courses relevant to the Facilities support function
10. Level 2/3 Certificate in Food Safety in Catering
11. Advanced Food Hygiene Diploma to degree level equivalent
12. Advanced Food Hygiene Certificate
13. City and Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 (patients services Catering Manager)
Desirable
14. Accredited to a relevant professional body such as British Institute of Cleaning Sciences (BICS)
Experience
Essential
15. Proven experience working in Catering Management or a senior supervisory position
16. Line management including coaching and staff development and managing employee relations issues
17. Managing a busy catering environment. Experience of IT solutions for catering/food services.
18. Experience of managing a service of similar size and scope
19. Proven experience of service improvements and financial control
Desirable
20. Knowledge of service related to Care Quality Commission (CQC) Standards
21. Previous NHS experience or other public sector organisation.
Skills
Essential
22. Practical application of operational procedures to satisfy regulations and legislation relating to food hygiene and environmental health
23. Ability to present and convey information concisely and informatively
24. Evidence of ability to prioritise and work without direct supervision
25. Financial Management skills
26. Good communication skills at all levels.
27. Good team management skills
28. Good interpersonal skills
29. Presentation skills
30. Flexible approach to work
31. Good written and oral skills
32. Negotiation skills
33. PC literate-working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages
Desirable
34. An understanding of current issues and trends in the provision of Catering Services in a Hospital environment
35. Knowledge and appreciation of the issues surrounding Better Hospital Food